Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-02-26
pesultory "reminiscences OF the olden
Times.

sues, that our old friends, Rev. ID. r.
Loolsert has contributed some recollec-
tons OF interest which antedate ours
about two years. We thank him for
the kind, personal mention he made OF
us. just here, let us remark, that il
our friend still lives where he was liy-
ing when last to see us, we desire
to mention something concerning the
place.
Some twenty-five or thirty years be-
fore my father removed to this city,
he had the house built which is
situated opposite Port Royal, across
Red river, on the road leading from
Port Royal to Tait's Station, and put
up the stone chimneys with his own
hands, he being a stone mason by trade.
We understand that the house is yet
comfortable and the chimneys are in
an excellent state Of preservation. 1t
has been at least seventy-fve years
ago.
wv
Many years ago Mr. Paris Peter, now
a farmer in Washington county, KY,
came to this city to work at carpenter
ing with Major Samuel McFall. The
Major was an excellent workman him.
self, but it turned out that the young
mechanic was superior to any he had
ever employed. All such work was
done by hand in those days, An order
came in to have geometrical stairway
put up, and Mr.. Peter was asked il he
could do such work. He said he could,
but the Major was not an expert him.
self on such jobs, and he was 10th to
give HIM the work. He said II have
moved brick houses, cellar and all,
across the river, but if you can build
such stationary without assistance l
will have to acknowledge your superb
GRITTY" Mr.. Peter did the work in a
manner that elected the notice and ad-
miration of all our people and from that
day until he left our city he stood at
the head of his class. The woodwork,
Mrs. ]. E. Bailey's residence on Madi-
son street, for durability, neatness Of
fit and design, stands q monument to
his good workmanship. He was gal
liant confederate soldier through the
war, after which he married, bought
the old family homestead near Mack
vile, KY, and has since been cultiva-
ting the soil. Some are here yet who
remember him as one of natures no.
blemen."
~#*
Major S. McFall, alluded to above,
was one of the oldest and most respect
ed citizens OF that day. He was county
clerk for long term OF years, and made
an excellent official. He was an ex-
tremely kind hearted man, and was
broken up by going security for others.
He gave up home, negroes, land and
money to pay security debts, which left
him poor man in old age. He died a
consistent member ofthe Baptist church
of which DR.. Ridley was pastor at the
time. He was, indeed, a imam in
whom there was no guile"
#*x
lessee Ely and Joshua Brown were
here the first time we ever saw the
town, and had been, long before, en-
gagged in manufacturing hats, and theirs
was the first exclusive hat store here.
They were men of nntiring energy,
industry and unflinching integrity.
They soon accumulated a competency
and reared large families, the members
OF each, without blot, sustaining the
good name bequathed them. Mr.. Ely
bought the lot upon which r. H. Pick.
ering now lives, and built one of the
first comfortable homes upon what was
then denominated the Charlotte road,
now Greenwood Avenue-in the mean
time renting his property down in town
bringing him handsome income. He
died not many years after, leaving his
wife and Eve daughters and three sons
who under the careful training OF the
mother are all honorable, influential
members of society. The mother died
a few years ago, all the children save
one, still resides here. Mr.. Brown died
a few years ago, not member of his
family remains here. Mr.. Ely and Mr.
Brown we're both jealous members o.
the Baptist church, and that denomina.
ton, IN this city, owes much of its pros
perity to the unceasing zeal and sup
port OF the Ely family, who have stood
by it through evil as well as good re-
port"
#*#
Since the establishment of Billy Nc.
Cures rat-proof tobacco warehouse al
Al L 4 IL Al. 4